There’s no need for Treasury giveaways to help the just about managing March 6, 2017 On the steps of Downing Street, Theresa May outlined the core of her political strategy: “If you are just about managing, I want to address you directly”. The just about managing – the so-called JAMs – saw their cost of living significantly squeezed in the aftermath of the financial crisis, and it is indeed vital that [...]
Is Nicola Sturgeon’s brinkmanship over a second Scottish independence referendum going to backfire? March 6, 2017 Alex Deane, a City of London common councilman, says Yes. Nicola Sturgeon’s referendum demands remind me of nothing so much as Homer Simpson, accustomed to getting his way by challenging anyone and everyone to a duel. The problem is that eventually someone may call your bluff. When the referendum demands come to a head, either [...]
How pay-as-you-go chain The Gym Group built up its muscle and plans to bulk up further March 6, 2017 Since opening in 2008, pay-as-you-go chain The Gym Group has grown at a rate of knots. Led by chief executive John Treharne, the gym operator is the second largest budget gym in the UK with 89 sites and 448,000 members as of December. The group has a plan to open a further 15 to 20 [...]
Hammond vows to fight back against bad Brexit deal as he plots vision for Britain’s high-tech future March 6, 2017 Ahead of his first full Budget, chancellor Philip Hammond has vowed the government would fight back against a Brexit deal that doesn't deliver for Britain, insisting the country will not be left licking its wounds after negotiations. Hammond warned the European Union of the UK's "fighting spirit" and said the country will not "slink off as [...]
The real Brexit dividend will be fresh support for Britain’s enterprise economy March 6, 2017 Imagine the UK became the best place in which to do busines in the developed world. A truly enterprise economy, generating wealth and taxes, what could top that? Certainly not membership of the EU. Suddenly it has become an imperative to turn that into reality and to stop relying on the EU, a "crutch" reached [...]
JP Morgan Cazenove holds off challenge of Numis Securities as most popular City stockbroker March 6, 2017 Stockbroker Numis has closed the gap between it and JP Morgan Cazenove as the most popular broker for FTSE-listed companies. The US bank, which took over the blue-blooded Cazenove broker in 2009, retained its top position with 192 clients, according to figures from Adviser Rankings. Meanwhile, Numis acts as stockbroker for 189 companies, a gain [...]
The BCC is demanding action over mounting business rate concerns March 6, 2017 Almost 40 per cent of UK firms are more concerned about business rates than three months ago, according to new research. Figures from the British Chambers of Commerce show that business rates (39 per cent) were second only to exchange rates (42 per cent) in the number of firms reporting increased worries. And among small [...]
Questions raised after Jeremy Corbyn’s tax return fails to include income as leader of the opposition March 6, 2017 Embattled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared to make another gaffe last night, publishing a tax return that does not include his salary as head of the opposition. "I have made it clear that I think it is right for party leaders to be open and transparent about their tax affairs," Corbyn said. However, the document does [...]
Buck up: UK tech sector not doing enough to attract female talent, according to research by PwC March 6, 2017 The UK's tech sector isn't doing enough to attract female talent, according to research by PwC. Only a quarter of female students in the UK (27 per cent) would consider a career in technology, compared to 62 per cent of males, PwC's survey of 2,000 A level and university students has found. Only three per cent of females [...]
University of Barclays: Lender to launch the UK’s first degree-level apprenticeship in banking later this year March 6, 2017 Barclays will launch a degree-level apprenticeship in banking later this year, the UK's first such offering. The programme will allow participants to study for a degree, or equivalent qualification, should they choose and will let them specialise in a range of areas of banking, including corporate, investment and retail. "We want people of all ages and [...]